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Walk A Mile attracts thousands

Frank and Leslie Potter joined the annual Walk A Mile event for suicide prevention in the wake of the daughter's death. More than 2,200 gather at Eldridge Park in Elmira for the event.(Photo: KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo)Buy Photo

Leslie Potter had never participated in a Walk A Mile event, but this year she had reason to.

The Big Flats resident lost her daughter, Kate, to suicide on February 16, so she set out to walk in the suicide prevention fundraiser Saturday at Elmira's Eldridge Park.

Walsh had served as a police officer on a Sanford, Florida, squad since 2005 when she took her life. She left behind a 4-year-old daughter and a husband.

"Our daughter died of PTSD and depression. It was pretty tragic," Potter explained. "She saw things like a soldier would that no one should have to see, and that can contribute to PTSD. She was one of the good ones. I know police officers have gotten a bad wrap lately, but she did community work by helping those affected by domestic violence and homelessness, and she helped the elderly.

"You never think this is going to happen in your family, but now I know better," she added, glancing at her husband, Frank. "It can happen to anyone. There were signs she could look forward to — getting a degree, getting out of police force this spring through retirement. I guess she was just too overwhelmed."

The Potters, along with family members and humanitarians walked as Kate's Team.

The Walk A Mile event, sponsored by Chemung County Department of Mental Hygiene, drew more than 2,000 participants who have stories similar to the Potters.

The department's director of community service, Brian Hart, believed the tournout was around 2,200 to 2,300 participants, as he reflected on the 1,700 preregistrations and the additional 600 shirts which were almost gone by the start of the walk at 11 a.m.

"Over the last five or six years, the participation has close to doubled," Hart commented. "People may think it's weird for me to say since I am the director, but I don't care about the money raised or the numbers. What I do care about is seeing come out and support suicide prevention."

Thursday's tally revealed $28,000 had been raised, which will be used for suicide prevention in Chemung County. Hart expects additional donations from Saturday's event and from corporate donations.

If you or someone you know is dealing with suicidal thoughts, please contact the Chemung County Crisis Program at 607-737-5369 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.